Thrissur: Kerala's adopted daughter, Pepita Seth, will now officially become a citizen of India. Known for her work with elephants, Theyyam and temple festivals, the 84-year-old, who has longed to embrace Indian citizenship, will no longer return to her native Britain.

Pepita's decision to accept Indian citizenship will be formalised on Friday, when she will receive her citizenship certificate from Collector Arjun Pandian at the Thrissur Collectorate.

Pepita, who has brought Kerala's art and culture to global attention, was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2012. Speaking from her home in Thrissur, she expressed pride in officially becoming an Indian citizen.

The photographer and writer Pepita returned to India at the age of 27 after reading the diaries of her maternal grandfather, a British soldier. A rare photograph she took at Madappadu of Pan Pattam being tossed in the air in Guruvayur's Kesava temple gained worldwide recognition. In 1981, Pepita also obtained permission to enter Guruvayur and other temples in accordance with Hindu customs.